Friday, January 18, 2013

I was thinking on how to
start this film review but it seems that finding the right words is too hard and
it’s most probably because of two things. First, words aren’t enough to
describe it since almost everything in Les Mis is sung and second, I’m still at
AWE with it that I’m careful on what to put in this post.

Les Misérables is that film that you would like to see
not merely for leisure’s sake but for something much deeper than that. It is
that film where you would thank the author, Victor Hugo, for such a magnificent
story. It’s that film that you could consider worthy of your penny. And it is
definitely that film where you could sing, cry, and laugh all at the same time.

Ever since I watched the 1998 version during my high
school days the film never got out of my head. You may consider that an
exaggeration but that’s how it is. That is why when I first heard that it will
be revived with the direction of Tom Hooper, I was, by all odds, excited. What’s
more exciting is that it’s adapted from the musical play so expect the
characters to sing from finish to end. It’s not even to be compared to the
first version since that was based from the novel.

What’s more exciting is that
it’s adapted from the musical play so expect the characters to sing from finish
to end.

Now, to really begin with the review. Who doesn’t know
the story of Jean Valjean and his road to redemption? The film, as stated
earlier, is based from Victor Hugo’s masterpiece. It is a story that shows the
life during the French Revolution. The film, on the other hand, perfectly
captured that era from the costumes to cinematography and everything in
between. Every single scene was shot just right, not overdid but also not
mediocre. The overall filming was spectacular where you can feel that you were
part of that era. The set is reminiscent and not an eyesore. Each costume and
makeup brings out the character very well.

Who would forget songs such as “I Dreamed A Dream” or “On
My Own”? Well, not me! When I was younger I would sing these songs for days.
While I was watching this film, I relived my childhood. Anyway, the thing about
the film is that you could basically sing to every song or when you’re in the
cinemas perhaps sing it in your head. Every song literally and figuratively
tells a story.

Who would forget songs such
as “I Dreamed A Dream” or “On My Own”?

Of course, some revisions have been made from the 1998
version which came dramatic. Although that’s not something terrible, another
thing I liked about this new version is that it has a comic relief (just like
the play). The characters are utterly MISERABLE but because of the funniness of
some scenes you would not help but laugh.

Lastly, the actors are WELL-PICKED. I could’ve not chosen
another set of actors to play the characters. Hugh Jackman playing Jean Valjean
could make him bag the Oscar award for Best Actor. No offense meant, but I
think he even made it past Liam Neeson. Anne Hathaway as Fantine was
remarkable. Those famous lines from I Dreamed A Dream being sung by her makes
the song and everything a lot more emotional. Russell Crowe, who played Javert,
was quite promising and his voice was an eargasm. I was looking out for his
scenes. J
Amanda Seyfried as Cosette is another must-watch. Know for her great singing
prowess from Mama Mia she steps up in this film. Helena Bonham Carter is no
doubt is in her element as Madame Thenardier. Sacha Baron Cohen (who is
popularly known as Borat) was also fun to watch as Thenardier. Eddie Redmayne,
who played Marius also stood up to the expectations of the crowd. But the greatest
surprise was Samantha Bark who played Eponine as well in the play. She is
someone to watch out for (I cried when she sang On My Own). The child actor, Isabelle Allen, who played young Cosette was also remarkable! Plus, the priest who helped Jean Valjean in the beginning was actually the one who played Jean Valjean in The Dream Cast in Concert a.k.a Les Misérables in Concert. Anyway, every
single actor played their roles well. Their singing abilities is something that
shouldn’t be questioned.

The only thing that I hate about the film is that it was
too short. L I
secretly hoped that they could prolong the events so I could enjoy their
voices. But to sum it all, I don’t have anything to complain about the film.

The story has become part of my life a long time ago and
I’m sure this film would too. You’d get three things from the film: an
education, a song and a tale. You will be thought of the French lives during
those days. You will carry the songs forever. And you will tell the eternal
tale of Jean Valjean who sought for redemption.

Now if you’re planning to watch in theaters, make sure
you bring your shades with you…so nobody would notice how much the film made
you such a crybaby and how it struck you deeply in the heart.

Friday, January 11, 2013

"Doubt is useful, it keeps faith a living thing."

If you are seeking God and you feel like He’s out of
reach, maybe you’re looking at the wrong places and maybe you have to watch
Life of Pi.

What happens when an award-winning novel is brought to
the big screen by an award-winning director? The answer- Life of Pi. No wonder it got 11 nominations in the Oscars.The film
is adapted from the Booker Prize-winning novel of Yann Martel that carries the
same title and is directed by no less than the great Ang Lee himself.

Ang Lee, who has directed films from Sense and
Sensibility to Brokeback Mountain, has proven that a novel that seems
unfilmable can be filmable. The movie is visually stunning with all the
graphics and CGI. Cinematography wise I’ll give it a perfect 10. The story can
be considered inspirational and the heartfelt performance of Suraj Sharma stirs
a whole lot of different emotions.

Let me give you a short peek of what the film is about. A
young Canadian writer goes to an Indian émigré in search of a good story that
would make him believe that there’s a God. And so the story kicks off and Pi
shares his adventure to the young writer.

As a kid, Pi had an urge to find God. So in his younger
years he was a Hindu, Christian and a Muslim. His father, who believes in
reason or science, encourages him to let go of religion and basically
everything he believes in but he still believed anyway. He believed that there
is a God maybe in the form of Vishnu or Christ or Allah.

In his teenage years, he and his family had to sell their
zoo animals and migrate to Canada. Once aboard the Japanese ship, Pi knew that
he had to let go of everything that he had in India including the girl he
liked. Along the way they experienced a thunderstorm and needless to say
experienced a shipwreck. All but Pi, Richard Parker (the tiger), an Orangutan,
a Zebra and a Hyena was buried into the deep. The story revolves on these
characters and their struggle to survive until only Pi and Richard Parker was
left and the story goes deeper. Lost at sea, Pi finds ways on how he can manage
to live without getting eaten by the ravenous tiger and if he can tame it at
all.

The young Pi did a wonderful job of his own. How hard is
it to act as if there’s really a tiger in front of you? Real hard I’d say but
Saruj Sharma pulled it off. Another thing I like about the film is that my eyes
never get tired. With all the colors and visual effects, the film really works
wonders in 3D. While the setting is at the middle of nowhere in the ocean, you
would get to feed your eyes with an amazing set of creatures that they
encountered all throughout the film. The film is also wonderfully scored and as
I said earlier the cinematography is beyond astounding.

Now to the what-I-don’t-like part. The story was poorly
paced and I felt it dragged me throughout the film trying to get to the climax.
I can’t help but be reminded of Tom Hanks in Castaway and Robin Crusoe since
they somehow had the same experience.
The film has that tendency to put aside its real purpose and that is to
show God. You’ll realize it for a minute and forget it the next. The film also
goes from awe-something to nothing like for instance they would just be flooded
by another storm again and something like that.

In the end, I find Life of Pi most interesting not only
for its wondrous spectacle but also for its life story that holds true for
everyone. It shows how God proves himself and can change someone even at the
most unexpected times. The story defies reality but is definitely something to
embrace and it is up to us if we believe or not Pi’s story and his encounter in
search of God.

Who is BROTHER?

I'm a communication student so expect me to COMMUNICATE! I'm a real boring person and can be completely mental at times. I'm always hungry and I want to watch movies and read books and listen to music and chitchat with my friends and..okay I'm bored. :)